Juan Soto chose to sign with the Mets over the Yankees primarily because of the financial offer and additional benefits provided by the Mets. The Mets extended a substantial 15-year, $765 million contract to Soto, which included escalators that could push the total compensation to around $800 million. This deal was significantly larger than the Yankees’ offer of $760 million over 16 years, highlighting the Mets’ commitment to building a competitive team for the long haul
In addition to the generous financial terms, the Mets also provided Soto with perks that the Yankees did not, such as no deferred payment and a private suite for his family. These amenities were seen as crucial, as they allowed Soto to have better family support, which is important to him. The Yankees, on the other hand, do not typically offer such private suites, and this discrepancy might have influenced Soto’s decision given his preference for ensuring comfort and support for his family
Heyman says apparently a Yankees security guard booted Soto’s mom or dad from an area in the stadium in April or May, and there were some negative feelings about it; then the same guy threw out Soto’s driver & chef later in the year and they had to wait out in the rain 😬 pic.twitter.com/kez3Yp7PXE
— Jonny’s Lasagna ⚾️ (@JLasagna43) December 9, 2024
Furthermore, there were some small issues that affected Soto’s decision. According to reports, a Yankees security guard had previously removed Soto’s parents and staff from designated areas during a game earlier in the season. This incident, along with another instance where Soto’s driver and chef were asked to wait outside in the rain after being denied access to restricted areas, likely left a negative impression of the Yankees organization. Such events could be seen as a lack of respect towards Soto’s family and close associates, which was a significant factor in his decision-making process
Lastly, the perception of the Mets’ future outlook also played a role in Soto’s choice. Unlike the Yankees, who have a more traditional and storied history, the Mets are perceived to be more ambitious and focused on long-term success. ESPN analyst Jeff Passan suggested that Soto believed the Mets offered a more promising future than the Yankees, which made their proposal more attractive The Mets’ owner, Steve Cohen, has shown a willingness to spend heavily on talent and create a competitive team, which aligns with Soto’s aspirations for sustained success.